Adult teeth straightening - share your wisdom/experience! 🙏🏻

[NameChangedForThis2025]

I’m finally taking the plunge and getting some consultations for my teeth. As a teenager/ young adult they never used to be reasonably straight but have got progressively worse with age. Now mid 40s and with a wedding on the horizon (next year date tbc) I’ve decided I don’t want to be hiding my smile on my wedding day! I also have a very gummy smile which I don’t love but if my teeth were at least straight that would make a huge difference.

Looking to hear your experiences with either Invisalign or adult braces. I’d prefer Invisalign aesthetically but ultimately think I’ll choose based on cost and effectiveness. So I’d put up with train tracks if it wasn’t much more expensive and was going to the job better/faster. I don’t have ready money to throw at this so it’s going to involve tightening my belt to change my spending habits!

• If you investigated both braces and Invisalign, what made you choose one over the other?
• How long did it take and how much did it cost? (And when did you have it done? Just for inflation info!)
• How frequently did you go for check ups?
• Anything you’d wished you’d known beforehand?
• If you had Invisalign, did you lose weight? I’m a big snacker so that would have to stop!
• Was whitening included in the price?

Finally, are you happy with the results and was it money well spent?!

Before picture for reference!

I went for Invisalign and very happy with the results. You may need either a permanent wire inside your teeth to stop them moving back, or to wear a retainer sometimes at night though, even when treatment is finished

Thanks everyone, that’s been so helpful.

I’ve booked a consultation with my current dentist who only offer Invisalign, as well as one with another practice that does Invisalign and traditional braces and has an orthodontist at the practice.

I’ve been thinking about this for so long now and the cost has always put me off, but I’m excited to get started and finally get it done!

Good luck OP

I'd really advise the orthodontist- mine thought they looked fixable with invisalign but some turned out to be stubborn and I needed his expertise to switch to fixed for a period of time. It might be a higher quote but greater certainty of a good end result.

@NameChangedForThis2025 best of luck I do not think you'll regret it. I had my Invisalign done with my dentist after having also seen an Otho. In my case it was a pretty straightforward plan so I decide to go with the dentist.

I had Invisalign. I don’t remember losing weight… but my teeth were fabulous within 9 months. Best money I ever spent. Whitening and the retainers to wear at night after treatment were included. I keep the retainers clean by putting them in a glass of water with a tablet specifically for retainers every day. Invisalign is a lot quicker than braces, so can feel tight, but it was all worth it. Watching my DD struggle with the long hard slog of braces I’m glad I didn’t go that route.

• If you investigated both braces and Invisalign, what made you choose one over the other?

I preferred the look of invisalign , felt like i'd look like a teenager with train tracks.

• How long did it take and how much did it cost? (And when did you have it done? Just for inflation info!)

Took around 9-10 month and cost around £4k, in 2021-2022.

• How frequently did you go for check ups? Every 3-4 weeks generally
• Anything you’d wished you’d known beforehand? denture tablets are good for cleaning the retainers.
• If you had Invisalign, did you lose weight? I’m a big snacker so that would have to stop! No definitely didn't which is sad.
• Was whitening included in the price? Yes although the whitening i got didn't do much

Finally, are you happy with the results and was it money well spent?!

Yes so happy i did it . I also got composite bonding on my middle top teeth as they were worn away and they all look so much better.

Forgot to mention… I did look at braces v Invisalign… Invisalign worked out cheaper.